James Leander Sanders, 35, was murdered and his skeletal remains were recovered February 3, 1981, in a remote area of Immokalee, Florida. Originally from Tennessee, Sanders disappeared in 1978 while traveling to North Carolina to work at his aunt’s tobacco farm after deciding to hitch a ride instead of taking a bus. The remains were found wrapped in an electric blanket; an autopsy determined cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.

For decades the remains went unidentified until detectives reexamined the case in 2019 and submitted a tooth for DNA analysis. Advances in DNA technology led to a match with family members through a national database, confirming Sanders’ identity and prompting Collier County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and partnering agencies to reopen the homicide investigation. The circumstances and suspects remain unresolved.

Anyone who knew Sanders, saw him leaving Tennessee in 1978, or has information about his travel or contacts in Florida or North Carolina is asked to come forward.